Efforts at one high school to reconsider its practices of ability grouping and explore alternative assessment and grouping practices are described. Assessment of the schools' practices found that students in lower ability groups had a less stimulating curriculum, fewer positive role models, lower motivation, lower expectations for themselves, and…

Based on the experiences of teachers, principals, and parents involved in the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA), this book is a collection of accounts and reflections by teachers or administrators who have engaged in developing and implementing nongraded primary education programs. The articles in this book are: (1) "Reforming the…

Summarizing what is known about reading teaching and learning, this booklet gives those people who must make decisions about reading instruction the most recent and reliable information available from research and practice. Sections of the booklet address such topics as what reading is and why it is important; the status of the "Great…

Because the primary years are the point where specific changes are required in teaching practice and school organization, a task force examined Kentucky's primary program through school visits, interviews, expert testimony, and research. The last three years have shown marked improvement in student performance in the basics (reading, writing, and…

This training manual for a 2-day workshop was developed from the perspective that a fully inclusive society will evolve only if there are schools which embrace all children, including those with disabilities. Each participating team first considers their school's current goals and progress made towards full inclusion, and then establishes goals…

Given the discrepancies between the format of graduate programs in educational administration and the actual demands of the administrative work setting, instructors should refocus instruction to bridge the gap between administrative theory and practice. This document describes one instructor's use of an interactive experiential learning activity…

This study analyzes data from multiple national representative samples to describe the status of curriculum tracking and ability grouping in middle and high schools and the effects on the following student groups: (1) African Americans; (2) Hispanic Americans; (3) American Indians; (4) Asian Americans; and (5) Whites. Statistical data from the…

This paper surveys the demographic, historical, and research issues related to alternative education; describes successful models for disruptive and at-risk youth; and suggests how local areas might achieve safety in their schools. Programs for disruptive youth are forecast to grow through the 1990s; approximately 35 percent of school districts…

This study documents the innovative utilization of resources in 16 exemplary schools and provides recommendations for staff deployment and school organization. Two introductory chapters place the report in the context of a wider study of which it is part and describe its conceptual framework. The following two chapters review the debate on case…

This annotated bibliography focuses on the effects of the physical environment on education. Topics covered include school size, architectural design, seating arrangement, environmental stressors, alternative learning environments, enhancing learning through environmental change, and special groups of students within the school. The first section…

Studies from several countries are described in this review of literature pertinent to assigning day care children to multi-age or homogeneous age groups. Three issues are discussed in this regard: (1) What difference does it make how one groups children? The answer is that a profound difference to children, staff, and parents may occur in terms…

Student market segmentation separates prospective college students into subgroups with similar characteristics, the most commonly used being geography, demography, attitudes, and behavior. Recruitment efforts can then focus on student segments similar to the present student body or on other students that might be attracted. The goal is to make…

USEFUL STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTING AND EVALUATING THE NONGRADED SCHOOL ARE PRESENTED IN SEVEN ARTICLES AND FOUR APPENDICES. CHAPTER 1 OUTLINES HISTORICAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES THAT FORM A BACKDROP FOR THE NONGRADED MOVEMENT. CHAPTER 2 FOCUSES ON HOW ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP IS, AND SHOULD BE, EXERCISED IN SETTING UP A NONGRADED SCHOOL.…

DURING THE FIVE YEAR PERIOD, 1958-63, A DEMONSTRATION TEST OF THE DUAL PROGRESS PLAN WAS CONDUCTED IN GRADES 3 THROUGH 6 OF THE NINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND IN GRADES 7 AND 8 OF THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN LONG BEACH AND OSSINING, NEW YORK. RELATED TRYOUTS OF THE PLAN WERE MADE IN 14 OTHER SCHOOL SYSTEMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE PLAN INVOLVES…

This collection of essays is intended to give a broad view of what is currently known about the management of classrooms. Contents include "Conceptualizing Classroom Management" by Mauritz Johnson and Harry Brooks; "Making Managerial Decisions in Classrooms" by Walter Doyle; "Authority and the Management of Classroom…